ERASMUS+, Key action 1: youth exchange
Timeline of this youth exchange:
- Pre-project meeting – online, May 17, 2025,
- Youth Exchange: 12-23 June 2025
- Organization of local activities in the Czech Republic
Venue: Ommen, Netherlands
Czech team: 5 participants + 1 group leader
Please read the info-pack.
Participating countries: Netherlands, Czech republic, Portugal, Latvia, Greece, Italy Spain
Hosting organisation: Stichting ImpACT
Project report:
Six enthusiastic Czechs decided to take part in a youth exchange project in the Netherlands, in the town of Ommen — a country where people ride bikes everywhere, where open-mindedness, nature, and a sense of belonging fill the air.
Our youth exchange, titled TeamUp! Step In, Team Up, Stand Out!, took place from June 12 to June 23, 2025.
The project brought together participants from the Czech Republic, Greece, Latvia, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, along with one participant from the Netherlands — our honorable Dutch guide, Guus. Together, we created a beautiful shared space for experiences and connection over the course of eleven days.
By my side stood the Czech team: Lara, Monika, Radim, Jan and Adam — who became my friends from the very first day on the train from Amsterdam to Ommen, and for whom I am truly grateful.
The project strongly focused on teamwork, leadership, self-development, problem-solving, and resilience. Throughout the program, we participated in many activities that encouraged us to reflect on ourselves — not only during the exchange but even days afterward. We got to know each other, laughed together, and even built a raft!
The principle of “learning by doing” was truly embodied in the spirit of the whole project.
Early in the program, each participant had the opportunity to co-lead a workshop in pairs. The topics were empathy, assertiveness, and leadership. As the days passed, just as we began to feel truly settled, we were surprised with the announcement of a 72-hour outdoor challenge, pushing us out of our comfort zones and into nature — both literally and metaphorically.
This experience in Dutch nature was deeply personal and subjective — the lessons we learned there are hard to put into words.
You would simply have to live it to understand it. We improved our teamwork, redefined what leadership means, supported one another, and most importantly, we overcame our own limitations.We also had the opportunity to connect more closely with Dutch locals and push our own boundaries further than expected. This wild journey concluded with joint reflection activities, giving us time and space to process everything we had been through.
In conclusion, TeamUp! was more than just a youth exchange — it was a journey of growth, challenge, and connection. Sleeping under the stars, approaching tasks in completely new ways, and going through confusion that eventually led to greater clarity and understanding. We learned countless new skills, formed deep connections, and yes… we even went for midnight swims in the river. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this project, from the core team to the participants.
Michaela S.
